Mackenzie eyes UFC dream after Cage Warriors dealImage source, UFC Fight PassImage caption, Ieuan Mackenzie has a professional record of six wins and two lossesByGareth BaileyBBC Sport WalesPublished1 hour agoWelsh bantamweight Ieuan Mackenzie says he is confident that he will be preparing for a UFC debut in the next 12 months after signing a five-fight deal with Cage Warriors.Mackenzie, 25, faces off against unbeaten Englishman Kadeem Perkins at Cage Warriors 208 in London on Saturday, 27 June.The Welshman, who has a record of six wins and two losses, is in a self-assured mood ahead of the bout.”I’m full of confidence leading into this, especially with the opponents I’ve beaten,” Mackenzie told BBC Sport Wales.”My last fight in Cage Warriors was against Keir Harvie who was highly touted and close to title contention before he fought me.”I finished him in the first round and I think that’s given me a lot of confidence against any of the Cage Warriors bantamweights.”In Mackenzie’s way is Londoner Perkins, who has four wins and no defeats in his professional career.Despite Perkins claiming a stoppage in his last bout against Rich Mitchell, Mackenzie says he has got the tools to stop the Englishman.”I saw his last fight, he’s a good Thai fighter,” Mackenzie reported.”It was a nice knockout but I don’t think the guy he fought was anywhere near my level.”Mackenzie believes that fight made 30-year-old Perkins look better than he is. “I’m not taking anything away from him, he’s dangerous on the feet but prior to that it was three decision wins, so I don’t see a way he can finish me or beat me,” the Welshman added.”I reckon he’ll try to keep it at range and to try to outpoint me over three rounds but it’s not going to last that long anyway.”It will be nice to be the person taking the ‘0’ – not having mine taken.”Aiming to catch the eyeMackenzie hopes a dominant performance could help catch the eye of the UFC and is determined to deliver an impressive finish.”It would mean the world to me, prove to myself everything I already know,” he reported.”If I win this fight and I have another big win at the end of the year, I’ll be eight wins and two defeats, eight finishes, and then hopefully knocking on the door of the UFC. “You never know, if I have a good finish in the summer the stars might align, I might get a Contender Series shot. “I know where I’m going, I’ve just got to get there on the night, perform and make it all come together.”Mackenzie is hoping for a UFC debut next year.”That’s kind of where I’m going in my head,” he added.”Obviously I’ve got to win these next two fights, maybe I’ll have to win another one early next year, but I’m confident that this time next year I’ll be in the UFC or preparing for a UFC debut.”For now though the Cardiff native is happy to be having a run of fights with one promotion, after sporadic one-off bouts.”I’m excited to finally have a home in mixed martial arts,” Mackenzie reported. “It means I’m guaranteed activity rather than waiting for offers to come to me.”I always say yes to all fight offers anyway, so hopefully I’ll get the job done, come out fresh and look for another one towards the end of the year.”‘My biggest critic and supporter’Image source, Jasmine Hacker-JonesImage caption, Ieuan Mackenzie and Jasmine Hacker-Jones got engaged in 2025Mackenzie is well-supported by his fiancée Jasmine Hacker-Jones, a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in judo in 2022.
Hacker-Jones began her own judo career at the age of four, with her career culminating in Birmingham by beating Audrey Jeannette Etoua Biock of Cameroon in the women’s -63kg competition.
Mackenzie says her support and understanding is invaluable.
“She understands what it takes. She was a full-time athlete for 10 to 15 years, so she knows it’s a six or seven-day-a-week thing,” he reported.
“You’re in the gym, from early morning until late at night, and it’s nice that she understands that.
“If I don’t have a car for whatever reason, she’ll drive me to training. I’m very fortunate to be in that position.”
And Hacker-Jones does not pull her punches when it comes to feedback.
“She’s definitely my biggest critic and my biggest supporter,” Mackenzie reported.
“No matter what happens in the fight she tells me how proud she is of me.
“She’ll also tell me if I mess something up or do something wrong.
“She’s definitely the most honest, no filter.”
